CBS announced today the new premiere date for the action thriller INTELLIGENCE, which will have a special preview on Tuesday, Jan. 7 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) following an original episode of NCIS. It will premiere in its regular Monday (10:00-11:00PM, ET/PT) time period on Jan. 13.

INTELLIGENCE stars Josh Holloway as a high-tech intelligence operative enhanced with a super-computer microchip in his brain. With this implant, Gabriel is the first human ever to be connected directly into the global information grid. He can hack into any data center and access key intel in the fight to protect the United States from its enemies. In her highly anticipated return to network television, Marg Helgenberger stars as Lillian Strand, the Director of the elite government cyber-security agency who supports Gabriel and oversees the unit’s missions. Strand assigns Riley Neal (Meghan Ory), a Secret Service agent, to protect Gabriel from outside threats, as well as from his appetite for reckless, unpredictable behavior and disregard for protocol.

INTELLIGENCE also stars Michael Rady, John Billingsley and PJ Byrne. Michael Seitzman, Tripp Vinson and Barry Schindel are the executive producers for ABC Television Studios in association with CBS Television Studios.

HOSTAGES will finish its 15 episode season with a special two-hour season finale on Monday, Jan. 6 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

I think this will be the rare midseason drama for CBS that can actually succeed. Hopefully it’ll hold up well against the Olympics.

Agnes

They lost me at “super-computer microchip in his brain”. SeeBS indeed.

Dan

Very smart move CBS, burn through Hostages as quickly as possible and put that Intelligence replacement in.

Its a better sign for Intelligence and perhaps if Intelligence finishes early or airs repeat free, CBS might find the room for Reckless.

ABC should do the same with Betrayal, although with 10 episodes scheduled to air through December 15, they would have 3 left.

Oliver

Not a huge surprise, because airing through the holidays is the least disruptive way to burn off the episodes.

If Intelligence is CBS’s only new January show then they should be able to give it a lot of promotion.

Andrew

I’m glad they will let Hostages finish its run. I like that show

Percysowner

Funniest remark on this announcement for EW Intelligence will replace Hostages, which will finish its 15-episode season with a two-hour finale on Monday, Jan. 6 at 9. It’s unclear, for now, what the future is for the Toni Collette drama, which has averaged a 2.0 rating/5 share in adults 18-49 and 7.55 million viewers.

It’s the lowest rated CBS scripted show. The future is hardly unclear. They could have said there was no announcement on its future, but unclear seems a stretch.

Lisa

I’ll just be happy to see how Hostages ends. It’s my favorite new show of the season.

Dan

How is its average a 2.0 if it always gets below that? Maybe I’m missing something. Saying that the drama’s future is unclear is a very nice way of saying that it isn’t cancelled yet but will be by May.

I’m also glad that CBS will let Hostages finish its run, they might as well, better than repeats. Same with Betrayal, OUAT Wonderland, Dracula. The limited shows will finish their runs and will simply be replaced. No cancellation necessary until May.

So correct me if I’m wrong but with 10 episodes of Hostages scheduled to air through November 25.

Episode 11 will air December 2
Episode 12 will air December 9
Episode 13 will air December 16
Episode 14 and 15 will air as a two hour finale on January 6.

Sounds about right.

JJF

Smart move and not surprising. Although, it’s gonna be a tough slot given that both Castle and The Blacklist are arguably comparable audiences for it. Still, I think it had the most chance of success of any new CBS drama pilot and could still be the rare midseason drama to get renewed. Really, if it can average anything around a 1.8 come May, it’ll probably get renewed. With Hostages a total flop and The Mentalist almost certain to conclude, it wouldn’t take a runaway performance to garner a season 2.

HeadlessHorseman

There’s just something about this show that makes me feel it will succeed. Not sure what it is, but I think this will be a rare midseason success story for CBS.

catsrule

I applaud CBS for airing all the Hostages episodes and not pulling it despite the low ratings. Sometimes quality should trump ratings, and CBS realizes that here. I hope ABC does the same with Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.

catsrule

As for Intelligence it would have a better chance if it remained after NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles moved to Mondays at 10:00.

Dr. TV

Hostages finale runs against BCS College Football Championship. Good luck.

Andy

Amazed that CBS kept a show on the air that got a 1.1 for its entire run. Most summer series wouldn’t have even gotten that luxury.

I think Intelligence will do somewhat better, but the hour is so competitive. My guess is Blacklist will be on a break, so that’s good for CBS.

Dan

@Andy – I think Hostages situation this season was comparable to FOX’s with The Mob Doctor last season. FOX would rather air the series out in its entirety and then replace it with The Following then pull the series and air repeats. Same thing with Hostages and Intelliegnce. Given its serialized nature and story that would wrap up by the seasons end anyway, it makes sense that CBS would just burn through Hostages order and then replace it. Its better than repeats.

Also remember that by January, The Voice, DWTS and Bones/Sleepy Hollow will be gone giving CBS’s comedies the edge. My guess is that all of CBS’s comedies will rise and Intelligence will do better than Hostages but not well enough to give the series a second season.

j

Flop.

Cory

I’m glad that they’re letting Hostages finish its order. And the bonus for us fans is that crappy ratings means they’re going to let it run through the holdidays so we can see how it wraps up sooner.

That Intelligence writeup sounds dreadful. Sounds like an awful version of Chuck. Chuck was amazing, and this sounds like the same thing, just minus the humor.

Tyson

Dan,

The “2.0 rating” refers to households, or HH. On average, two percent of all households with a television watch Hostages. The five share means that one in 20 homes watching TV at that hour is watching Hostages.

Paul P

Very true comments about airing whole show….even though very low ratings I love it & am excited to see how it concludes! Thanks CBS!